American comics: From Hogwarts to God on Earth

Chapter 163 The Traitor: Unexpected Yet Predictable

Chapter 163 The Traitor: Unexpected Yet Predictable

After a long while, Spider-Man finally stood up again: "Excuse me, I—I don't have any gold or magical materials on me. May I ask..."

Peter, are you sure it's just gold or magical materials? Your pockets are cleaner than my face!

Although that's what he thought, Rune didn't say it aloud; it would be too hurtful. Stark, standing nearby, shouted, "Now, can I and my money finally make an appearance?"

Rune shook his head at Stark, then looked at Peter: "I need you to owe me a favor."

"I disagree!" Stark immediately objected. Favors are the hardest to repay, and he didn't want Spider-Man to owe this guy of unknown origin a favor. He also glanced at Steve, giving him a signal, hoping he would object as well.

Having worked with Stark countless times, Steve naturally understood Stark's code. However, after a moment of silence, he said, "Okay, but there need to be some restrictions."

Stark slapped his forehead. He couldn't understand why Steve didn't join him in opposing the idea. Was he the only one who thought Rune was untrustworthy back in Avengers Tower?

Steve certainly didn't want Rune to have anything on Spider-Man, but unlike the straightforward Stark, he could better understand Spider-Man's pride at this moment—just like when he was beaten up by a few thugs, yet still said, "I can take you all day."

Even among superheroes, Spider-Man is considered one of the poorer ones. After becoming a hero, Peter's scientific talents lost their potential for practical application, let alone earning money through them. Stark did try to hire Peter, and succeeded, but Peter felt that his constant wandering made him unsuitable for a permanent position at Stark Industries.

So I resigned.

Therefore, given Peter's pride, he would certainly not be willing to accept Stark's charity. Thus, the best course of action would be to compromise and agree to Rune's request, but with certain conditions.

Rune asked, "What restrictions?"

Steve solemnly stated, "You can't ask Peter Parker to do something that goes against his own principles."

Rune nodded: "That makes sense."

Finally understanding Steve's meaning, Stark immediately said, "You can't let Peter Parker hurt himself—psychologically, too!"

Rune agreed, not intending to harm his good neighbor. He needed an assistant who could turn the tide in crucial moments, not a reluctant worker who would slack off whenever possible.

Steve and Stark were satisfied with the promise, and Spider-Man nodded in agreement.

"I really didn't know Peter had such a deep relationship with his uncle," Stark remarked.

"Yes, that's why I don't want to be a hero." Rune nodded. "I don't have the habit of sacrificing my loved ones to save strangers I've never even met."

Steve turned his head to look at Rune.

"Don't look at me. I don't have any intention of losing my humanity and becoming a complete villain." Rune stretched, the tragedy he had just witnessed not making him feel very good. "That's just how I am, half-baked. I'm not pure enough in my goodness, nor am I thoroughly evil enough. I'm stuck in the middle."

Stark ultimately chose fourteen "Companion" golems, his feigned seriousness leaving Rune and Steve speechless. According to Stark, he initially had his eye on two, but felt the number two wasn't perfect, so he went to choose again, this time picking three—finally, when he had chosen thirteen, he felt it was unlucky and added one more.

"Remember to deliver the goods when the time comes," Rune reminded her. "Oh, and if you pay with those modified symbiotes, I can give you a discount."

"You son of a bitch! I would never renege on my promise!" Stark's eyes widened immediately. "Besides, that thing you're talking about is still just a concept in my head. How did you know?!"

Rune made an ambiguous gesture, refusing to answer any of Stark's questions. It seems that the "white-can bastard" is still some time away; that puts my mind at ease.

After Stark left, muttering things like "Damn mage" and "Shameless mind thief," Steve asked energetically, "Where's your cousin?"

Rune sighed, "I can't bring him here now; it's too dangerous here."

Steve was understandably disappointed, but he was patient enough. Rune noticed his disappointment and immediately offered the righteous hero a rosy picture.

"Be patient, Steve. In the future, I won't just have my cousin come to receive your guidance; many, many more will come. I promise you'll be well compensated—"

Who would be coming? Rune already had names in mind. For example, Robin the Second, Jason Todd (Red Hood), and Damian Wayne, the son of Batman and successor to the League of Assassins, among others.

Thinking about how rebellious these guys were, Rune couldn't help but grin: "These guys are the best of the best, each one of them is incredibly difficult to deal with."

Steve had no idea who these people were, let alone the morbid way the bat family interacted in the other world, so he patted his chest twice and said expectantly, "I'm not afraid. Even the toughest soldiers would tremble at the sight of me, let alone those kids."

Rune nodded. "I hope you'll still be able to smile then, my friend."

Despite the anticipation, Steve eventually left—he had important matters to attend to: first, to step down as Captain America, and second, to help the X-Men coordinate Charles's funeral.

After personally seeing the hero off, Rune didn't create a puppet or practice his shapeshifting as usual, but instead went to the Sanctum Sanctum. If he wasn't mistaken, he easily passed through the magical barriers that repelled ordinary people and affected their vision, avoiding the scattered remnants of magical traps. As his fingertips traced the walls, faint golden light seeped from the charred cracks—the work of countless Sorcerers Supreme, now dormant only due to insufficient magic power, but undamaged in themselves.

Upon reaching the hall, the sight before him made him burst into laughter—this fortress that had once protected the earth from magical attacks was now nothing but ruins. The runes on the walls were violently torn apart, and the congealed bloodstains on the floor outlined the last traces of resistance—this place hadn't even been cleaned.

"It really was you! It really was you, hahaha!"

Rune rarely had the chance to laugh so happily, but now he had every reason to be overjoyed—the countless years of magical accumulation and the efforts of countless mages in this world would all belong to him.